Carp fishing has been quite popular over the last years. Even a few years ago, the anglers considered them as a trash fish. But the situation is opposite right now. These species are smart, multiple faster, and manage a permanent place within the ecosystem. They are too strong and cunning to escape after being hooked. So, carp hunting is not an easy task at all. Maybe this is the reason why the anglers are more interested in carps because they love challenges. However, people who do not know the basics will be disappointed while fly fishing for carp. This article describes some techniques to help them out.
The Ultimate Guide to Catching Carps by Fly Fishing
Best time
They remain active in the morning during hot days. You can see plenty of fishes roaming in the shallow water. Sometimes, they keep jumping throughout the water surface as well. There is a high probability of catching them from both shallow and deep water in the morning. But you may not get the same result during cold months. Wait until the water becomes warm and choose the afternoon for fishing. The afternoon is an excellent choice for carp fishing in all months. They search for food in warm water. The majority of them can be found in lower depths then. When the sun goes down, they stay in the shallows as well as deep water. Try to avoid night-time fishing because it is hard, especially for getting big fish.
Best season
Though many of us prefer some specific times for successful carp fishing, you can continue it throughout all seasons. Spring is considered to be one of the best times for big fishes. The water begins to be warm in the springtime. You can find them close to bubbles and water clouding. Their movement may also be visible near sheltered areas on a cold day. Summer does provide not only the best warmth and sunshine but also the best opportunities for surface fishing. Floating foods on the surface easily draw the attention of carps. We suggest checking thick weeds when the water is hot. If you love fishing in autumn, carry heavy boilies. The fishes become active in seeking reliable food sources as preparation for cold times. Don’t go fishing in the winter morning. Wait until the weather becomes hot. Check for some primes pots as they do not swim far from a food source. Late fall and early spring are the least suitable seasons.
Observe carp behavior
Before catching a carp fish, you must be familiar with its nature. The tendencies of carp vary according to the weather, mood, and so on. Take sufficient time to observe their behavior patterns. They have sharp eyesight and smelling power, which helps them to identify their foods. They have a bulky frame, unlike the streamlined fish species. They love to stay in almost still or slowly moving water. So there is a high chance of finding them in lakes and ponds. Also, they preferred roaming in the warmer water area. The most suitable temperature for carp capturing is approximately 15 degrees, according to past activities. As the weather often fluctuates in many places, they may focus on spawning several times a year. Don’t waste your time by trying to get them around on the surface. You may find many fishes there, but they hardly take flies. Target the sunbather spawners and slowly swimming groups instead.
Different flies
Unlike some fishes, carps live in multiple water columns. Each depth has different food supplies. So carry a minimum of three weights of flies to trick them. The lightweight files are for sunbathers or slow swimmers. The Unweighted nymphs will be appropriate for the fishes on the topwater depth. The medium-weighted ones usually feature beads to drag them down in the mid-layer. If you are fishing in the shallow water, they go on the bottom, mimicking the other edible species’ movements. Flies with bead chains can match lots of carp patterns as well. Lastly, heavy lures are capable of getting down deep quickly. They utilize lead eyes as well as other means to drag them deeper. You can get mudding carps in the last depth of the lake.
Essential gears
Not everything will work for big-shoulder carps. You should find out the best rod and reel combination. Who does not want to catch a 20-pound carp or bigger? Then, you may need a nine-feet long eight-weight rod. It will deliver enough pulling power and maximum casting efficiency. Adjust it with any large-arbor reel. Choose wiggly and tiny woolly worms, and trout-style nymphs to achieve the best performance. Their color should lie within brown, black, and tan shades. Besides, grab the necessary accessories such as polarized sunglasses, spare items, weather-proof clothing, etc.
Casting
Many anglers fail to get carps due to inaccuracy and less precision. The fishes are sensitive to vibration, so try to cast from the shoreline. Maintain a distance of 40 to 60 feet for better casting. Don’t throw unless you see them from the surface. Follow all hard seams and bubble lines to avoid lame targeting. If an area covers seam, lure, and a few carps, keep watching the place for a few minutes. More fishes may come in that location. Remember, they keep swimming continuously. So balance the timing of casting flies such that the flies appear in front of them before they leave. Another clever technique is throwing the flies and waiting for some seconds for their arrival. A breeze may assist in giving more fishing facilities.
Patience
It is difficult to deceive the tricky fishes like carps. They can disappear within the blink of the eyes. So, trying a long period without success is a common thing. But don’t be disheartened. Even if the fisher is doing everything right, he/she can be fish-less for a few hours. Look into the records of used flies and fishing spots before going to a lake. Target these areas and take time to learn the proper mechanisms. If you are a beginner, bring an expert to know the carp fishing tips.
And that’s all for now. We hope this content will help you to experience a successful fly fishing mission.